Laboratory analysis of five host plant sources on life capacities of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and evaluation of the results in field conditions in Yasooj area of Iran

Food consumption, survival rate, age specific longevity and fecundity of gypsy moth were studied on five different host species, including apple (Malus domestica), black poplar (Populus nigra), white poplar (Populus alba), oak (Quercus sp.) and pear (Prunus communis) under laboratory and field conditions in Yasooj area. The obtained results indicated that the total consumed leaf surface by a larva on apple (M. domestica) was the highest with the amount of 1014 cm2. First instar larvae did not survive long following consumption of small amount of white poplar and pear leaves. Age specific survival and longevity were significantly different on apple and black poplar compared with oak in laboratory conditions. No significant differences were found between age specific longevity of gypsy moth on apple and black poplar under the experimental conditions. Host preference for apple and black poplar was distinctly higher than oak. The average weight of female pupae developed on apple, black poplar and oak were 1440, 1320 and 1100 mg respectively and as fertility rate of female moth is directly related to the weight of female insects, fertility rate of adult moth developed on apple with the average female weight of 1440 mg and 3.19 was higher than the moth developed on black poplar and oak with the fertility index of 2.59 and 2.41 respectively. The results indicate the presence of feeding deterrents in white poplar and pear.

Lymantria dispar, food resources, physiological characteristics, laboratory condition, Yasooj, Iran